Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-01
MOUNT MYSTERY.

young 1tlloWS WIN nttlc OF no experience,
and when We realized our situation we
were in despair.
When We started out from the coast it
seemed to us that IL would he regular
frolic to spend couple Of weeks among
the mountains in the interior At the end
of that time the brig Pacific would be
ready to depart. and We could then resume
our journey to San Francisco.
The captain of the vessel endeavored to
dissuade us.
The natives are not likely to bother
you," he said. 'but very little is known
Of the country beyond the mountains.
Strange tales have reached my ears, and
although l am As fond of adventure as
ANYBODY. the trip would not suit me-"
We laughed at the old sailor. We were
we'll armed and afraid of nothing
ut is all right" told the captain.
''with proper caution there Will be no
danger. We may make valuable discov-
cries and become famous explorers. II is
time to unveil the secrets OF this wonder
ful land. and it is nonsense to be frightened
off by a few sailors yarns"
The captain shook his head and said no
more. We completed our preparations
for the trip, and early one morning started
of in the highest spirits
When the discovery was made, after We
had been camping out for about q week.
that we had lost our way it appeared to
muddle our heads.
Various attempts were made to head
towards the coast. but in every instance
we were compelled to return disheartened
and uncertain As to our course.
| The few natives encountered in our
wanderinGs were unlike those along the
seaboard They were light colOrcG. hand
some and active, and fed at our approach,
refusing TO hold any communication
with us.
/ One evening We camped on the bor-
ders of lovely lake under the shadow Of
frowning mountain.
There is something queer about that
mountain" remarked Walpole, the only
sailor in our party.
.Queerr' 1 replied cautiously. Every
thing is queer in this peculiar land.
What is it about the mountain that strikes
you.''
While / have been resting here" said
Walpole, who was lazily reclining on the
grass, IL have been using my eyes. The
mountain is as steep on this side as the
face of stone wall. II it is that way all
around the top must be inaccessible"
We'll" l answered, who wants to
climb TO the tops''
81 do, for one," responded WalpOle.
''The luminous cloud or vapor around the
summit and reaching down the sides is u
strange thing. Just watch 1t for q mo-
mcnt."
looked upward at the precipitous mass
Of rock. The cloud was stationary, and
looked more like steam than anything
else.
Occasionally" said my companion, II
see birds fly out Of the cloud, and after
circling about for awhile they always re-
turn. Then. if my ears do not deceive
me, and they are keen ones, l can dis
tinguish various voices all coming from
the direction Of the cloud"
..Why, man, you are losing your
senses" interrupted. If the summit
is inaccessible what can there be up there
10 make a noise, ~
birds at least" said the sailor, with \
smile, Il can swear to seeing the birds. l
don't know what else may be up there.
but several times in the last half hour l
have heard the clang Of metal and the
sound Of human voices"
He Is right" said Hinton, another
member Of our party. Il have heard the
same sounds, but l didn't like TO men
ton it,"
"wny not explore q little - suggested,
indifferently.
To my surprise everybody agreed. The
men were tired roaming about aiInlessly
with disappointment at every turn. They
were ready for anything for q change.
| In the morning two men started in one
direction around the base of the mountain,
while two went in the other. Their plan
was to proceed until they met, and then
! return together.
remained with one man ut the camp
Others might investigate Mount Mystery
as we called it, but felt too fatigaed for
such an effort.
During the day We lounged about and
watched the cloud wrapped phenomenon
before us. More than once l heard a
clatter apparently in the upper air, and
once or twice l was sure that l heard
voices. Evidently Mount Mystery was q
| good name for this freak Of nature.
! Late in the afternoon our comrades re-
turned. They had walked all day, COW
ering many miles, and they had learned
| nothing except that the mountain pre-
sented the same perpendicular wall-like
! appearance all the way around.
Al one pllCc, sstiu iiihtol, VIC 80"
| tolerably large stream of water trickling
down the sides of the rock. So there is
water up there. and il may he that the
whole surface is productive and inhab-
/ tied"
"You forget" I objected, that it is
| impossible for any living thing except a
bird TO get up there"
"Of course don't attempt to explain
| 10 w Wo1, ..h,,f II 10 nnSCihlp fhn 4
| ages ago the mountain sloped down, ct
least on one side. An earthquake or
landslip may have left it in its present
condition, with whole tribe Of people
stranded there among the clouds. don't
say it is so, but that may be the way
! of it"
| Night came upon us again, and We were
! glad to rest.
'What is thats'
Hinton was standing over me pointing
to the mountain. was wide awake in a
moment and listened intently.
High above the earth ! heard voices
singing what seemed to be Il barbaric
! chant. Mingled with the voices l could
| hear the clash and sOnorous peal OF
/ musical instruments.
! '.What do you say now." asked Wal
pole, coming up.
Every man in the camp was awakened,
md we spent the greater part of the nigh,
listening to the marvellous concert in the
clouds.
The dawn Of day found US looking a'
each other with pale faces and anxious
eyes.
shall We break camp and move"
asked.
YES, to-m3rrow," replied Walrole.
"Give me one more day. l have found
out something this morning that may